Does dirty skin cause acne?

Acne is a skin condition that affects many people around the world. It can show up on people of all ages, but it is most common in teenagers and young adults. Acne develops when hair follicles are clogged with dead skin cells. These cells build up to form a plug that prevents sebum (an oil) from escaping the pore. The bacteria, which generally live on the surface of our skin, cannot escape either, so they multiply inside the plugged pore, feeding off the sebum. This causes an inflammatory reaction in the surrounding tissue, resulting in pimples – red peaks of inflamed sebum under your skin that you can see outside your body. Although some forms of Acne go away over time, there are many cases where acne persists into adulthood. Acne can be painful and embarrassing for those who have to deal with it every day, but why does acne develop?

The cause of Acne
Acne is caused by several factors that interfere with the function of the Skin’s oil glands (called “sebaceous” glands), hair follicles, or both. When these factors are:
Hormonal Factors:
Hormones are chemicals that control how specific body cells develop, grow, and function. Androgens are hormones that primarily affect the oil glands around your hair follicles. When your body produces too much of them, you can start to make more sebum than usual. This excess sebum makes it easier for hair follicles to become clogged.
Medical conditions:
Some medical conditions can cause Acne by interfering either with the production or function of androgens. Examples include: Cushing’s syndrome, Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Hyperthyroidism, Affect levels of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) in the body. IGFs stimulate cell activity and division, which makes hair follicles more likely to become plugged with sebum.
Overweight:
If you are overweight, your body produces extra insulin, making it easier to convert calories into fat and harder for muscles to use as fuel. Excess insulin levels can also interfere with how androgens affect cells, which will make more Acne.
Genetic Factors:
Some people are simply unlucky and have a predisposition to Acne. For these individuals, anything that causes the oil glands around hair follicles to produce more sebum can irritate sensitive skin and cause the formation of pimples. Genetics also affect how your body responds to acne-causing bacteria.
Environmental Factors:
Some outside factors can cause Acne to flare, such as stress, severe dieting, certain medications (including birth control pills; see below), and wearing helmets or hats that don’t let your skin breathe.

Does dirty Skin cause Acne?
Dirt, bacteria, and especially oils found in cosmetics can irritate acne-prone skin or clog your pores. They may make you break out temporarily, but they are not the real cause of Acne. As long as your body produces enough sebum to keep its oil glands well-oiled, dirty Skin will not cause Acne. That does not mean that you can never get Acne from external factors, but simple skincare is rarely the cause of your breakouts.

How can one prevent acne?

1. Wash your face with the right cleanser. When you wash your skin, it should feel clean but not dry, tight, or itchy. Different people may need different face washes depending on their situation, like oily/dry/sensitive skin. It is recommended that you should avoid using bar soap because they are often very harsh and can be too drying for young adult acne-prone skin. You are using a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser.
2. Don’t touch your face! Never pick or squeeze the pimples as this will only cause scarring and leave ugly marks, which can be hard to get rid of later, especially if you have tried every product out there with no success.
3. Get rid of excess sebum. Use a non-comedogenic oil-free moisturizer to give your skin enough moisture so the pores won’t get clogged in the first place.
4. Avoid makeup and skincare products with comedogenic ingredients, which means they are likely to cause acne or worsen it if you already have it. Some common comedogenic elements include Mineral Oil, Lanolin, Talc, Fragrance, Cocoa butter, Coconut Butter. Do not use them under any circumstances!
5. Consume a healthy diet rich in fresh vegetables and fruits that will balance out your hormones naturally. Drink lots of clear fluids 6-8 glasses daily, especially when you tend to crave junk food and caffeine.
6. Exercise regularly to keep your metabolism up. Your Skin gets less stressed out when you sweat and keeps the skin in shape. Avoid junk food high in sugar and trans-fats.
7. Supplements are also known for their benefits in treating acne by combatting the root causes, especially if you have tried every product out there with no success. Zinc, vitamin A, selenium, omega 3 fatty acids rich foods like cold-water fish (salmon/tuna), green leafy vegetables should be consumed daily for best results.
8. Don’t use cosmetics that contain comedogenic ingredients oil-based ones can clog pores. In contrast, water-based ones do not work well under makeup conditions, so try to stick to non-comedogenic products that suit your skin type, or else you will end up with more pimples since it will cause your pores to clog.
9. Watch what you eat. Chocolate, high fructose corn syrup, junk food, soda can contain chemicals that lead to Acne, so try to avoid them.
10. Use sunscreen. It helps protect against sunburn and early signs of aging, so do not neglect this crucial step.Be sure to keep track of all your skincare products by writing down the ingredients that you use every day in a skincare journal, which you can buy online at any drugstore or department store cosmetics section. It’s beneficial if you’re ever unsure whether an ingredient is comedogenic or non-comedogenic, which will help prevent acne breakouts later on!
    
    How is acne treated?
    1. Salicylic Acid: This is derived from willow bark, but don’t worry; the concentration of salicylic acid in skincare products is usually too low to make you drowsy or irritate your skin. It helps clear blackheads and whiteheads by removing dead cells that might be blocking your pores.
    2. Benzoyl Peroxide: This product kills P. acnes bacteria, thereby preventing future breakouts. It also helps remove excess oil that can cause acne.
    3. Retinoid: These work to unclog pores and reduce whiteheads and blackheads, so they are perfect for mild cases of acne-prone Skin because they are not as harsh on sensitive Skin as other anti-acne medications.
    4. Antibiotics kill bacteria P. acnes that cause acne; they reduce pimples by controlling oil production and reducing the number of whiteheads and blackheads.
    5. Laser Surgery: This is used to treat severe acne in which the patient usually has many deep cysts or nodules.
    6. Light Therapy: It reduces redness, inflammation, whiteheads blackheads, but it needs maintenance treatment for best results because you will need to continue visiting your dermatologist for this treatment at least 3-4 times a year unless your condition improves. Significantly after that, which is highly unlikely!
    7. Chemical Peel/dermabrasion: These treatments are helpful when treating Acne scars by unclogging pores, skin rejuvenation, etc. The problem with these treatments is that they are very painful.
    8. Ph Balanced/ non-comedogenic skincare products: These contain ingredients that help restore the health of your skin by providing it with antioxidants, which have been proven to be very effective in treating acne.

How can acne be treated naturally?

1. Apple Cider Vinegar: It prevents bacteria from multiplying and removing excess oil from your skin. It also balances out your skin’s pH by making it more acidic, so there is nothing to fight off this change in acidity, which gives you acne-free beautiful Skin naturally!
2. Lemon Juice: It unclogs pores kills acne-causing bacteria, and produces Vitamin C antioxidant effects that prevent free radical damage to the Skin’s surface, leaving it looking more muscular smooth, glowing, etc.
3. Honey: A natural humectant that removes dead cells, cleanses pores gently exfoliates your skin without drying or irritating it because its antibacterial properties help fight off acne-causing bacteria. In contrast, its anti-inflammatory properties speed up the healing process for existing acne spots and prevent future breakouts.
4. Yogurt: Helps unclog pores remove excess sebum without stripping your skin of its natural oils. It also reduces redness and inflammation due to its antibacterial properties, so this is the perfect product for you if you have sensitive skin!
5. Oatmeal: This helps prevent bacteria from spreading through your pores when applied topically because it contains naturally occurring salicylic acid, which is a type of BHA that can penetrate deep into clogged pores, effectively removing dead cells preventing acne-causing bacteria from multiplying, which will result in a clear, glowing beautiful skin.
6. Green tea: This antioxidant-rich ingredient works perfectly on acne-prone skin types; it helps kill bacteria fight off free radicals, which are the fundamental causes for aging and stretch marks!
7. Aloe Vera: Aloe vera for acne helps reduce redness and irritation by cooling the skin; it also has antiseptic properties which help fight off acne, pimples, blackheads, etc.
8. Garlic: It contains naturally occurring sulphur that fights bacteria and helps apparent acne lesions.
9. Vitamin C: This has antioxidant properties that prevent free radical damage, one of the leading causes of aging.
10. Cinnamon Powder & Yogurt: This combo will give you an instant glow by unclogging your pores removing dead cells, while the yogurt will provide deep hydration without causing any irritation because it contains lactic acid that helps remove dead cells, which is a known cause of acne-prone types of Skin.
11. Baking Soda: This acts as an exfoliant that will help remove dead cells from your skin while treating acne by opening up your pores and removing excess oil without clogging them.
12. Neem Leaves: These are proven to be antibacterial, which effectively prevents new breakouts from occurring because neem leaves kill the bacteria that causes acne!
13. Olive Oil: This helps reduce redness & inflammation, just like aloe vera, but it also has natural properties that fight off free radicals, one of the leading causes of facial wrinkles, fine lines, etc.
14. Turmeric & Honey: If you have oily skin, this is the perfect recipe for you. It will exfoliate your skin naturally without causing any irritation due to its anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce redness and inflammation, making your skin look healthy radiant!
15. Sandalwood Powder & Water: Mixing it with water will help you avoid any allergies if applied directly on your face because its antibacterial properties help fight off bacteria without causing any irritation by unclogging pores which cause acne, pimples, blackheads, etc.
16. Multani Mitti: It’s a natural clay that absorbs excess oil and helps control outbreaks without irritating your skin or causing any side effects because it has anti-inflammatory properties.
17. Cucumber: This is rich in vitamin A & C, which will help fight off free radicals, which cause acne, as well as prevent dryness from occurring due to its water content; cucumbers also contain salicylic acid, so combining this ingredient with aloe vera can be very effective!
18. Rose Water: Also known as distilled water of the petals of the rose, this acts as an astringent toner that reduces redness and irritation by closing pores and tightening skin cells. It’s also antibacterial and antiseptic, helping to clear up breakouts and prevent new ones from forming.

So, there we have it, folks. Acne isn’t caused by dirty skin. It’s caused by hormones and clogged pores/sebum build-up in the pore-lining, leading to a build-up of toxins and bacteria that cause breakouts. Acne needs medical attention too, and not be ignored as it can cause scarring on the face. Make sure to see a dermatologist and follow these remedies religiously, or else you’ll never get rid of acne for good! You can consider homeopathic acne treatment.

Benefits of using the homeopathic treatment for acne:

• Homeopathic acne treatment is safe.
• Homeopathic acne treatments are very effective with few if any side effects.
• Homeopathic acne treatment is highly cost-effective.
• Homeopathic acne treatments are easy to make, inexpensive, and readily available.
• Homeopathic treatment for acne does not require a prescription or healthcare provider visit.You can improve your health within weeks of beginning homeopathic treatment for acne/acne scarring. You should always consult a registered homeopath for acne treatment. You can book an appointment for acne treatment through OHO Homeopathy now!